NATIONAL NEWS

New Scheme for Women Traveling Alone at Night

• The Tamil Nadu police have introduced a new scheme called 'Pengal Pathukaaptu Thittam' (Women Safety Scheme) in Chennai city.

• The scheme aims to provide safe transportation for women who return from work between 10 pm and 7 am.

• It is operational every day of the week.

• Women who feel unsafe while traveling alone at night can dial helpline numbers such as 1091, 112, 044-23452365, and 044-28447701.

• Upon receiving a call, the police will dispatch a patrol vehicle to accompany the women and ensure their safe transportation to their residences.
• The scheme has been implemented in response to the increasing number of women working in various shifts.

G-20 Labor Engagement Group Meeting

• The two-day meeting of the G-20 Labor Engagement Group began in Patna, Bihar.

• Around 150 delegates from the G-20 member states and eight guest countries participated.

• The ceremony was inaugurated by Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Ashoka Convention Center in Patna.

• This meeting includes universalizing social security and increasing women's participation in the workforce (around 32% globally).

• The meeting also focused on the plight of migrant workers and the issue of knowledge and skill gaps among workers.
• The delegates will explore new employment opportunities and challenges in G20 countries.

Union Minister Inaugurates 11 Flyovers from Delhi to Panipat

• Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated 11 flyovers from Delhi to Panipat on the eight-lane National Highway- 44 at Sonipat.
• The project also includes a six-lane service road on both sides.
• The project is 24 km long and completed with an estimated cost of 890 crore rupees.
• Mr Nitin Gadkari at the spot approved the demand of constructing ROBs and RUBs at a cost of 300 crore rupees under Setu Bharatam Yojana and also approved bypass from Narwana road to Rohtak road in Jind and ring road from Jind to Ikas.
• Accompanied by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal, Union Minister also addressed Gauravshali Bharat Rally on this occasion.
• Out of which 51 projects of 2200 kilometer length costing 47000 crore rupees have been completed and 30 projects of 830-kilometer length costing 35000 crore rupees are in progress.
• There are 19 projects of 756-kilometer length costing 20000 crore rupees out of which detailed project reports of 14 projects are being prepared and some projects in the tender process.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

China Inks Deal with Pakistan

• China and Pakistan signed an agreement to set up nuclear power plants worth $4.8 billion in Punjab province.
• The nuclear power plant deal is a symbol of growing economic cooperation between China and Pakistan.
• The agreement covers the construction of the 1,200 MW Chashma-5 nuclear plant in Punjab's Mianwali district.
• Pakistan is receiving a significant investment of $4.8 billion from China for this project.
• Pakistan actively engaged with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to meet the conditions required for the 9th review, and Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan acknowledged the support of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

1st Global Summit on Artificial Intelligence

• United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Mr Rishi Sunak has announced that Britain, UK will host the first major global summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI) safety.

• The summit will bring together key countries, leading tech companies and researchers to agree on safety measures to evaluate and monitor the most significant risks from AI.

• The summit will consider the risks of AI, including frontier systems, and discuss how they can be mitigated through internationally coordinated action.

• The date of the summit is not announced yet.

• Recognising the strength of the UK’s AI expertise, US tech giant Palantir has also announced it will make the UK its new European Headquarters (HQ) for AI development.

• The UK and US are two of the only three countries in the world to have a tech industry valued at more than $1 trillion.

ECONOMY

Fitch Raises India's GDP Forecast

• Fitch Ratings has revised its forecast for Indian economic growth in the fiscal year 2023-24, increasing it from 6% to 6.3%.
• The revision is based on a stronger first-quarter performance and positive momentum in the near term.
• Fitch Ratings attributes the revised forecast to the overall strength of India's economy.
• Fitch Ratings considers the stronger first-quarter performance and positive momentum as reasons to upgrade the growth forecast to 6.3%, which it states is one of the highest growth rates globally.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Surat Sets Guinness World Record

• A new Guinness World Record was created with the participation of 1.53 lakh people in the Yoga Day event in Surat, Gujarat.

• Largest gathering for a yoga session at one place, with 1.53 lakh people participating.

• Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi announced the new record.

• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended the state level 'International Yoga Day' celebrations in Surat.

• The representatives of Guinness World Records presented the certificate to Chief Minister Patel.

• The participants were given wristbands with QR codes for accurate counting.

• The QR code data confirmed the participation of 1.53 lakh people surpassing the previous record.

Tedros Ghebreyesus Awarded Olympic Order by IOC

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the Olympic Order to Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

• The award was given to Dr. Tedros for his efforts in holding the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The Olympic Order was presented by IOC President Thomas Bach at the Olympic House.
• Dr. Tedros has been invited by President Bach to be the Guest of Honor at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
• The award recognizes Dr. Tedros' support in promoting cooperation between the IOC and WHO, in particular the Cooperation Agreement signed in 2020.
• The IOC and WHO have collaborated on various initiatives, including the Let's Move campaign for Olympic Day.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

New Prime Minister of the Country by the Parliament of Finland

• In Finland, the leader of the Conservative Party, Petteri Orpo, was elected Prime Minister of the country by the parliament.

• Orpo's election was supported by 107 members of parliament, while 81 opposed and 11 abstained.

• President Sauli Niinisto is set to formally appoint Petteri Orpo as the new Prime Minister.

• Orpo will replace Sanna Marin of the Social Democrats, who finished third in the polls.

DEFENCE

India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X)

• The U.S. Department of Defense and the Indian Ministry of Defenselaunched the India-U S Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) at an event hosted by the U S-India Business Council.

• The launch of INDUS-X is a major milestone in promoting US-India defense cooperation, innovation, and job creation.

• The initiative seeks to enhance defense capabilities and contribute to global peace, security and prosperity while reaffirming commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

• INDUS-X aims to revitalize defense industrial cooperation between the United States and India, promoting the development of new technologies and fostering collaboration in manufacturing.
• It represents a strategic effort to strengthen bilateral ties and unlock the potential for advancements in the defense sector.
• INDUS-X holds the potential to create job opportunities for working families in both countries.
• By fostering collaboration between U S and Indian start-ups, the initiative aims to generate employment and drive economic growth, contributing to global peace, security, and prosperity.

IMPORTANT DAYS

United Nations Public Service Day

• United Nations Public Service Day is celebrated every year on 23 June.

• The day is dedicated to appreciating the importance of public services and the people who work in them.

• The United Nations established the United Nations Public Service Awards to recognize and reward exceptional public service projects.

• The award program was updated in 2016 to align with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

• United Nations Public Service Day reminds us of the value of public service and encourages young people to consider careers in this field.

• On 20 December 2002, the General Assembly designated 23 June as United Nations Public Service Day.
• It aims to recognize the important role of public service in development.